The scour around bridge foundations is the leading cause of bridge failure
in the United States. Field measurements of the scour process generally rely
on in-situ sampling of the geomorphology. The objective of this research
is to increase our ability to predict how variations in flow conditions will
affect the scour and/or deposition of sediment around estuarine and river
bridges. Two specific goals for this project are to evaluate an existing
three-dimensional flow and sediment transport model with field observations
of river morphology and flow velocity and to examine the effect variations
in river stage will have on bridge scour. New field sampling techniques will
be used for the observation of surface velocities, water column velocities,
and bridge scour. The data will be archived in a format suitable for potential
subsequent detailed scour analyses. Beyond the scientific merit of better
understanding the scour process, we anticipate that these results may be
used by both scientists and planners interested in improved parameterization
of the sediment transport around structures under river and combined wave-current
flow. The results may also be used to identify locations for future sampling
sites. Combined these model-data results will highlight potential areas of
concern.